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Dr. S. (Saar) Mollen

Assistant Professor
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
CW : Persuasive Communication
Area of expertise: Social norms, Media exposure, Health behavior, Eating behavior, Behaviour change, Health communication, Intervention development
Visiting address
  • Nieuwe Achtergracht 166
  • Room number: D9.00
Postal address
  • Postbus 15791
    1001 NG Amsterdam
Contact details
Social media
  • Profile

    I work as an assistant professor at the department of Communication Science in the persuasive communication group. My main research interest lies in health behaviour change. In my research, among other things, I focus on the social antecedents of health behaviour, and how insights into this can be applied to encourage health behaviour change for instance through communication interventions. I have a specific interest in eating behaviour, but also study other lifestyle behaviors such as smoking and drinking. 
    I coordinate the Research Master Communication Science and teach courses related to health communication in our Bachelor and Master Programme and supervise Master theses. 

    Research expertise

    • Social norms
    • Media exposure
    • Health behavior 
    • Eating behavior
    • Behavior change
    • Health communication
    • Intervention development

    Media appearances

  • Research

    Research methods

    • Experiment
    • Content analysis

    Current research projects

    • Mapping the online food and diet environment and how this impacts people’s perceptions.
    • Applying virtual reality technology to understand the contextual dependency of values that predict food choice behaviour.
    • Innovating interventions: A genetically informed multi-level framework for identifying and addressing substance (ab)use risk factors.

    Research grants & honours

    • NWO open competition XS
    • Healthy Future midsize grants
    • Urban Mental Health PhD grant

    RPA

  • Teaching
    • BA: Honours Course Communication Science
    • MA: Health Communication
    • Coordinator Research Master Communication Science

    PhD supervision

    • Preventing financial derailment by getting in contact
    • Innovating interventions: A genetically informed multi-level framework for identifying and addressing substance (ab)use risk factors. 
  • Publications

    2025

    2024

    2023

    2021

    • Alblas, M. C., Mollen, S., Fransen, M. L., & van den Putte, B. (2021). See the cake and have it too? Investigating the effect of watching a TV cooking show on unhealthy food choices. Physiology & behavior, 236, Article 113409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113409 [details]
    • Mollen, S., Holland, R. W., Ruiter, R. A. C., Rimal, R. N., & Kok, G. (2021). When the Frame Fits the Social Picture: The Effects of Framed Social Norm Messages on Healthy and Unhealthy Food Consumption. Communication Research, 48(3), 346-378. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650216644648 [details]

    2020

    2019

    2018

    2017

    2015

    • Verkooijen, K. T., Stok, F. M., & Mollen, S. (2015). The power of regression to the mean: a social norm study revisited. European Journal of Social Psychology, 45(4), 417-425. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2111 [details]
    • de Bruijn, G. J., Visscher, I., & Mollen, S. (2015). Effects of previous fruit intake, descriptive majority norms, and message framing on fruit intake intentions and behaviours in Dutch adults across a 1-week period. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 47(3), 234-241.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2015.02.001 [details]

    2013

    2010

    • Mollen, S., Rimal, R. N., & Lapinski, M. K. (2010). What Is Normative in Health Communication Research on Norms? A Review and Recommendations for Future Scholarship. Health Communication, 25(6-7), 544-547. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2010.496704
    • Mollen, S., Ruiter, R. A. C., & Kok, G. (2010). Current issues and new directions in Psychology and Health: What are the oughts? The adverse effects of using social norms in health communication. Psychology & Health, 25, 265-270. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440903262812

    2015

    2017

    • Mollen, S., & Fransen, M. L. (2017). Verschillende perspectieven op een veilig sportklimaat. In gesprek met coaches, scheidsrechters en spelers over de waargenomen oorzaken en oplossingen van verbalen en fysieke agressie in het amateurvoetbal.

    2015

    2014

    2013

    2025

    • Mollen, S., Becker, D., Dubey, S., Scholz, C., & Holland, R. W. (2025). The third half: Testing an intervention to reduce alcohol consumption in Dutch amateur sports clubs. Abstract from EHPS 2025, Groningen.

    2024

    • Solovei, A., Mollen, S., van Weert, J. C. M., de Bruin, M., & van den Putte, S. J. H. M. (2024). A cross-lagged analysis of the effects of interpersonal communication, news consumption and trust on health behaviours. Abstract from EHPS 2024, Cascais, Portugal.
    • Solovei, A., Mollen, S., van Weert, J. C. M., de Bruin, M., & van den Putte, S. J. H. M. (2024). The relationships between news consumption, interpersonal communication, and trust in government on adherence to behavioural regulations. Abstract from ARPH 2024, Maastricht, Netherlands.
    • Solovei, A., van Weert, J. C. M., Mollen, S., de Bruin, M., & van den Putte, S. J. H. M. (2024). Exploring the effects of news consumption, interpersonal communication, and trust in government on health behaviours: a longitudinal study. Abstract from ECREA, Ljubljana.

    2023

    • Mollen, S. (2023). The value of value based choice for behavioral prediction and intervention design. Poster session presented at EHPS 2023: 37th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society, Bremen, Bremen, Germany.
    • Mollen, S., & Scholz, C. (2023). Persuasive Communication Panel Session: Theory-driven communication applications: An interdisciplinary perspective. Abstract from Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Enschede, The Netherlands.
    • Solovei, A., van Weert, J. C. M., van den Putte, S. J. H. M., Boukes, M., van der Meer, G. L. A., Mollen, S., Smit, E. S., Yilmaz, N. G., & de Bruin, M. (2023). Media use and health communication during COVID-19. Abstract from ARPH 2023, Enschede, Netherlands.
    • Solovei, A., van Weert, J. C. M., van den Putte, S. J. H. M., Boukes, M., van der Meer, G. L. A., Mollen, S., Smit, E. S., Yilmaz, N. G., & de Bruin, M. (2023). News consumption during COVID-19 in the Netherlands. Abstract from EHPS 2023: 37th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society, Bremen, Bremen, Germany.
    • Solovei, A., van Weert, J. C. M., van den Putte, S. J. H. M., Boukes, M., van der Meer, G. L. A., Mollen, S., Smit, E. S., Yilmaz, N. G., & de Bruin, M. (2023). Patterns of media use in the Netherlands during the Covid-19 pandemic. Abstract from Etmaal Communicatiewetenschap 2023, Enschede, Netherlands.

    2021

    • Alblas, M. C., Mollen, S., Wennekers, A. M., Fransen, M. L., & van den Putte, B. (2021). Consuming media, consuming food: A time-use diary survey on TV viewing and concurrent food intake. Paper presented at Annual conference of the European Health Psychology Society.

    2020

    • Alblas, M. C., Boyland, E., Fransen, M. L., Mollen, S., Giani, S., Aulbach, M., & van den Putte, B. (2020). Potential mechanisms underlying the effects of exposure to unhealthy visual food cues on food choice and intake in adults: A systematic review. Paper presented at Association for Researchers in Psychology and Health (ARPH) conference, Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands.
    • Alblas, M. C., Mollen, S., Fransen, M. L., & van den Putte, B. (2020). Watching a cooking show on TV and subsequent unhealthy food choices in unsuccessful dieters. Paper presented at International Communication Association (ICA), Gold Coast, Australia.
    • Mollen, S., Sumter, S. R., van der Waal, N., Kwakman, P., & van der Laan, N. (2020). The effects of virtual compared to real eating companions on unhealthy food intake. Poster session presented at Association of Consumer Research, Paris, France.

    2019

    • Alblas, M. C., Boyland, E. J., Fransen, M. L., Mollen, S., Giani, S., & van den Putte, B. (2019). Potential mechanisms explaining how unhealthy visual food cues affect food choice and intake in adults. Poster session presented at 33rd annual conference of the European Health Psychology Society, Dubrovnik, Croatia.
    • Alblas, M. C., Mollen, S., Fransen, M. L., & van den Putte, B. (2019). Exposure to a cooking show and unhealthy food choices in successful and unsuccessful restrained and unrestrained eaters. Paper presented at Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Nijmegen.
    • Alblas, M. C., Mollen, S., Fransen, M. L., & van den Putte, B. (2019). Watching a TV show with food cues and subsequent unhealthy food intake: An eye-tracking study. Poster session presented at Association for Researchers in Psychology and Health conference, Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands.
    • van den Putte, B., Mollen, S., & Smit, E. S. (2019). Is it more effective to scare or help smokers: Real-life experiment on stimulating smoking cessation. Paper presented at International Communication Association (ICA), Washington, United States.

    2018

    • Alblas, M. C., Mollen, S., Fransen, M. L., & van den Putte, B. (2018). Seeing is eating: Visual attention for food cues on TV and unhealthy food intake among restrained and unrestrained eaters. Abstract from paper presented at the Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Ghent, Belgium.
    • Alblas, M. C., Mollen, S., Fransen, M. L., & van den Putte, B. (2018). Seeing palatable food on TV: Does it activate the goal of hedonic eating among unsuccessful restrained eaters?. Abstract from paper presented at the annual conference of the Association for Researchers in Psychology and Health, Tilburg, Netherlands.
    • Alblas, M. C., Mollen, S., Fransen, M. L., & van den Putte, B. (2018). Visual attention for palatable food cues on TV: Does it predict unhealthy food intake?. Abstract from paper presented at the annual conference of the European Health Psychology Society , Galway, Ireland.

    2017

    • Alblas, M. C., Mollen, S., Fransen, M. L., & van den Putte, B. (2017). The effect of exposure to unhealthy food commercials on activation of the hedonic eating goal. Paper presented at International Communication Association (ICA), San Diego, United States.
    • Alblas, M. C., Mollen, S., Fransen, M. L., & van den Putte, B. (2017). The influence of food commercials on hedonic eating goal activation in (un)restrained eaters high and low in perceived self-regulatory success. Abstract from Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap.
    • Fransen, M. L., Hendriks, H., Mollen, S., & van den Putte, B. (2017). Measuring resistance towards health messages.. Abstract from 31st annual conference of the European Health Psychology Society., Padua, Italy.
    • van den Putte, B., Mollen, S., Nagelhout, G., Dijkstra, A., & Smit, E. S. (2017). Does self-efficacy information improve the effects of pictorial fear labels on cigarette packages: real-life experiment.. Abstract from 31st annual conference of the European Health Psychology Society., Padua, Italy.

    2015

    • Mollen, S., Engelen, S., van den Putte, B., & Kessels, L. T. E. (2015). Kort maar krachtig. De rol van framing en termijn in waarschuwingsboodschappen op sigarettenpakjes. Abstract from Paper presented at the meeting of the Nederlands Netwerk voor Tabaksonderzoek (NNvT), Utrecht.
    • Mollen, S., Engelen, S., van den Putte, B., & Kessels, L. T. E. (2015). Short and sweet: The persuasive effects of message framing and temporal context in anti-smoking warning labels. Abstract from Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
    • Mollen, S., Holland, R. W., Rimal, R. N., Ruiter, R. A. C., & Kok, G. (2015). When the frame fits the social picture. The differential effects of positive and negative message framing on injunctive and descriptive social norms. Abstract from Paper presented at the Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Antwerp, Belgium.

    2014

    • Mollen, S., Engelen, S., Kessels, L. T. E., & van den Putte, B. (2014). The role of valence and time-frame of health outcomes related to smoking in the effectiveness of health warning labels on cigarette packages.. Abstract from Paper presented at the Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Wageningen.
    • Mollen, S., Holland, R. W., Ruiter, R. A. C., Kok, G., & Rimal, R. N. (2014). Framing the social picture. Effects of framed norms messages on motivation to consume (un)healthy food. Abstract from Paper presented at the annual conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Seattle, USA.
    • de Bruijn, G. J., Visscher, I., & Mollen, S. (2014). Effects of the social environment and health information on changes in fruit intake behaviour and intentions in Dutch adults: An experimental study.. Abstract from Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Society of Behavioural Medicine and Physical Activity, San Diego, USA.

    2013

    • Mollen, S., Rimal, R. N., Ruiter, R. A. C., & Kok, G. (2013). Mogelijkheden in de sociale leefomgeving: Sociale aspecten van gezond gedrag. Abstract from Paper presented at the symposium 'Een positieve benadering van gezondheid: Hoe mensen uit te rusten hun gezondheid te ontwikkelen en te behouden', Nederlands Congres voor Volksgezondheid, Wageningen.
    • Mollen, S., Rimal, R. N., Ruiter, R. A. C., Jang, S. A., & Kok, G. (2013). Intervening or interfering? The influence of injunctive and descriptive norms on intervention behaviours in alcohol consumption contexts. Abstract from Paper presented at the Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
    • Mollen, S., Rimal, R. N., Ruiter, R. A. C., Jang, S. A., & Kok, G. (2013). Intervening or interfering? The influence of injunctive and descriptive norms on intervention behaviours in alcohol consumption contexts. Abstract from Paper presented at the Motivation in Social Contexts: Theory and Practice conference, Kraków, Poland.

    2012

    • Mollen, S., Rimal, R. N., Ruiter, R. A. C., & Kok, G. (2012). Gezonde en ongezonde sociale normen en voedingskeuze: Bevindingen uit een veldexperiment.. Paper presented at Paper presented at the meeting of the Associatie voor Sociaal Psychologische Onderzoekers, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
    • Mollen, S., Rimal, R. N., Ruiter, R. A. C., Holland, R. W., & Kok, G. (2012). Adverse effects of social norms messages in health campaigns. Abstract from Symposium conducted at the conference of the European Health Psychology Society, Prague, Czech Republic.

    Prize / grant

    • Mollen, S. (2023). Open competition XS: Waking Up to a New Reality. Applying Virtual Reality Technology to Understand the Contextual Dependency of Choice Behaviour to Increase the Societal Impact of Behavioural Interventions..

    Journal editor

    Talk / presentation

    • Mollen, S. (speaker) (19-10-2020). I’ll have what she’s having. Social norms, eating behavior and health communication interventions, Universität Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
    • Mollen, S. (speaker), Stade, L. H. . (speaker), Smit, E. S. (speaker) & van den Putte, B. (speaker) (9-6-2016). The persuasive effects of framed antismoking warning labels and self-efficacy messages on cigarette packages, International Communication Association (ICA) 66th Annual Conference, Fukuoka.
    • Mollen, S. (speaker), Stade, L. H. . (speaker), Smit, E. S. (speaker) & van den Putte, B. (speaker) (4-2-2016). The persuasive effects of gain and loss framed anti-smoking warning labels and self-efficacy messages on cigarette packages, Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Amsterdam.
    • Mollen, S. (speaker) (2012). (2012, September). Sociale invloed, Presented at Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
    • Mollen, S. (speaker) (2012). (2012, September). Group influence., Presented at Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.

    Others

    • Mollen, S. (examiner) (12-9-2025). To ‘meat’ up with peers: investigating the role of social norms in meat consumption (examination).
    • Scholz, C. (organiser) & Mollen, S. (organiser) (2-4-2024). Gezondheid in Verbinding: Het Doorgronden en Toepassen van Sociale Invloeden op Gezondheid, Amsterdam (organising a conference, workshop, ...).
    • van der Wal, A. (organiser), Boerman, S. (organiser), de Jong, C. (organiser), Hendriks, H. (organiser), Jonkman, J. (organiser), Mollen, S. (organiser), Möller, M. (organiser), van Straten, C. (organiser) & Vliegenthart, R. (organiser) (6-2-2020 - 7-2-2020). Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Amsterdam. In February 2020, ASCoR hosted the “Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap”, the annual conference for all communication science scholars in the (…) (organising a conference, workshop, ...). https://nefca.eu/etmaal/etmaal-van-de-communicatiewetenschap-2020/

    2021

    2013

    • Mollen, S. (2013). Fitting in or breaking free? On health behavior, social norms and conformity. [Thesis, fully external, Maastricht University].
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